Search

Supplemental Methods. Further details of species identification using mtDNA consensus mapping method; raw read filtering criteria; genome size estimation using K-mer analysis; leopard genome assembly using various K-mer values; repeat annotation; species selection for comparative genomic analysis. (DOCX 43 kb)

Species and sub-species identification for three leopard samples. Figure S2. Distribution of K-mer frequency in the error-corrected reads. Figure S3. GC content distributions. Figure S4. Composition of mammalian orthologous genes. Figure S5. Divergence time estimation of 18 mammals. Figure S6. Contraction of the amylase gene families (AMY1 and AMY2) in carnivores. Figure S7. Frame-shift mutations in Felidae GCKR genes. Figure S8. Felidae-specific amino acid changes in DNA repair system. Figure S9. Felidae-specific amino acid change in MEP1A protein. Figure S10. Felidae-specific amino acid change in ACE2 protein. Figure S11. Felidae-specific amino acid change in PRCP protein. (DOCX 2024 kb)

Background There are three main dietary groups in mammals: carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. Currently, there is limited comparative genomics insight into the evolution of dietary specializations in mammals. Due to recent advances in sequencing technologies, we were able to perform in-depth whole genome analyses of representatives of these three dietary groups. Results We investigated the evolution of carnivory by comparing 18 representative genomes from across Mammalia with carnivorous, omnivorous, and herbivorous dietary specializations, focusing on Felidae (domestic cat, tiger, lion, cheetah, and leopard), Hominidae, and Bovidae genomes. We generated a new high-quality leopard genome assembly, as well as two wild Amur leopard whole genomes. In addition to a clear contraction in gene families for starch and sucrose metabolism, the carnivore genomes showed evidence of shared evolutionary adaptations in genes associated with diet, muscle strength, agility, and other traits responsible for successful hunting and meat consumption. Additionally, an analysis of highly conserved regions at the family level revealed molecular signatures of dietary adaptation in each of Felidae, Hominidae, and Bovidae. However, unlike carnivores, omnivores and herbivores showed fewer shared adaptive signatures, indicating that carnivores are under strong selective pressure related to diet. Finally, felids showed recent reductions in genetic diversity associated with decreased population sizes, which may be due to the inflexible nature of their strict diet, highlighting their vulnerability and critical conservation status. Conclusions Our study provides a large-scale family level comparative genomic analysis to address genomic changes associated with dietary specialization. Our genomic analyses also provide useful resources for diet-related genetic and health research. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-016-1071-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.